Celebrity Masterchef’s Gethin Jones
CELEBRITY MASTERCHEF Gethin Jones I COULDN’T GET MY HANDS TO STOP SHAKING
WED-FRI / BBC1 / TIMES VARY / EPS 7-9 of 15 / COOKERY
rom flying with the Red Arrows to wrestling an alligator in Louisiana, Gethin Jones never shied away from a dangerous challenge during his time as a Blue Peter presenter.
So we’d imagined that competing against actor Felicity Montagu and musician Lady Leshurr plus fellow presenters Amar Latif and Jeff Brazier in the third heat of BBC1’S Celebrity Masterchef would be a walk in the park for the Welsh daredevil.
However, as The One Show cohost Gethin, 42, tells TV Times, he was actually ‘shaking’ walking into the famous kitchen…
FIs this your first time taking part in a TV culinary competition? Well, I did Ready Steady Cook against my friend Danny [England rugby star Dan Scarbrough] in 2008. It did scar me a bit because I’m a way better cook than he is! Every year on the anniversary, he sends me a picture of him wearing the Ready Steady Cook apron. I’m like, ‘Danny, have you achieved nothing else in your life?’ That’s how our banter goes!
Did you have any nerves about taking part in Masterchef?
I cannot believe how petrified I was. I’ve been in some very strange, high-pressured situations – I’ve flown a Red Arrow, been attacked by an alligator and looked after myself in a South American jungle for a month. But I was a mess going into that kitchen for the first time. I couldn’t get my hands to stop shaking. But what an experience!
Did you have a signature dish for Celebrity Masterchef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace?
I wouldn’t say it’s my signature dish but I made them a Welsh shepherd’s pie. You’ve got to be proud of where you come from.
How did you find Gregg and John? Gregg loves his rugby, so we had good banter. He’s very funny and knew a lot about Celtic history.
But John is the one who I was intimidated by. The first day I met him, I went to shake his hand and he said, ‘I’m not shaking your hand, you’ve got fish on it.’ I thought he really hated me! But what’s great about John is that he wants you to cook well. They’re both passionate about food and about people learning to create good food. They’re totally honest about what they’re eating, but that pressure is the fun of the show!
And did you learn how to ‘create good food’?
My God, did I learn! Presentation is massive in the show, so I find myself taking a lot of pride in cooking, then taking pictures and sending them to friends – yes, I’m now one of those people! I understand the flavours and artistry behind it now. I’ve tried a few different things and done a little baking. At one point, I had 3kg of salmon in my fridge because I was practising filleting!
So if we came round for dinner, what would be on the menu?
I think fresh calamari with tartar sauce, sea bass with a clam and white wine sauce, and a carrot cake for dessert. I love carrot cake!
You’ve been co-hosting The One Show with Alex Jones recently – will we ever see you do a series called Jones & Jones?!
That’s so funny! I’ve known Alex for over two decades. I made my TV debut on my 24th birthday when we did Welsh-language show Popty together. Sometimes Alex carries on the conservations we have in make-up when we’re live on air! Working with her is so much fun.
/ EP 5 of 6 / DRAMA SUNDAY / BBC1 / 9PM